UCLA gets right with a rout of Rutgers

Booker scores 24 points and the Bruins commit just two turnovers in the win.

- By STEVE GALLUZZO

UCLA'S Donovan Dent (2) goes up for a layup against Rutgers' Lino Mark in the Bruins' rout on Tuesday.

(JAN KIM LIN UCLA Athletes)

After its gut-wrenching double-overtime loss to Indiana three days before, the UCLA men’s basketball team got just what the doctor ordered: a home game against struggling Rutgers.

The Bruins took their frustrations out on an overmatched opponent Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion, winning 98-66 in the fifth of a six-game West Coast swing that is crucial to their NCAA tournament aspirations.

All five starters scored in double figures for the Bruins (16-7, 8-4 Big Ten), who had their second-highest scoring output this season. Center Xavier Booker made 10 of 11 shots, including all four of his three-point tries, to finish with a career-high 24 points, Tyler Bilodeau scored 19, Eric Dailey Jr. scored 17, Donovan Dent had 13 points and 11 assists and Trent Perry added 10 points.

“Everything felt good today from the first shot, my teammates kept feeding me,” said Booker, who also had five rebounds, three assists and a block in 29 minutes. “I’m trying to improve on my defense staying low, in my stance and staying in front of my man.”